The distortion in machining aeronautical aluminum alloy parts (AAAPs) is one of the serious challenges in the aviation industry, and the residual stresses produced in multimanufacturing steps are the main cause. In order to get a comprehensive understanding of the problems about residual stresses and distortion in machining AAAPs, the state-of-the-art in several aspects including the generation reasons of residual stresses, the factors influencing distortion during machining, the measurement methods of residual stresses, the prediction and controlling methods of distortion are summarized in this paper. The generation mechanism of the bulk residual stress inner materials and the machining-induced residual stresses, as well as the factors affecting two kinds of residual stresses are stated. Also, the influences of residual stresses and machining process conditions on distortion are analyzed. Furthermore, the common residual stress measurement methods and its application scope are summarized. Significantly, the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of various prediction methods are analyzed. The methods of controlling distortion before and after machining are summarized. Finally, the paper gives out further research on the distortion in machining AAAPs in aeronautical manufacturing.